Tuesday, March 20, 2007

DEATHWISH by the Police: Bo Diddley on Polyrhythmic Steroids!

The basic groove of "Deathwish" is a great example of what I think Keith Richards refers to as "weaving."   It's an interlocking groove that would've made James Brown proud, god rest his soul.  ("Same tape I've had for years!") 

On top of a basic Bo Diddley beat, there are some serious polyrhythms going on. Check out the rhythm grid above, a visual representation, even for those who don't read music.

For those who read music, click on the image for a score of a few bars:

I'll try to describe what's going on, what the heck.

plays a basic Bo Diddley* beat.  Say the following count (pronounce the +'s, too) while emphasizing the capitalized words, and you'll kinda hear it:

ONE + two AND three + FOUR + one + TWO + THREE + four +

plays the same beat, except for beat four of the second measure.  There he delays one 1/8th after Sting's three, accenting AND, instead of Sting's THREE.**   This helps to accent a 3 over 4 feel thru the end of the bar... that's a really cool, really subtle polyrhythm. 

Try it:
ONE + two AND three + FOUR + one + TWO + three AND four +

restates the first measure of the Bo Diddley beat, but shifted back one beat, his first accent is on beat two.  He manages to lock in very deftly while adding some great ad libs that flavor the harmony on beats two thru four of the second measure.
Try it:
one + TWO + three AND four + ONE + two + three + four +

The echo on Andy's primary guitar figure is set for one quarter note, so his "cloned" self enters, softer, and on beat 3.  An echo of an echo.

Try it:
one + two + THREE + four AND one + TWO + three + four +

*Other Bo Diddley Beats: "Hand Jive,"  the Who's "Magic Bus," and more recently, the Clash's "Julie's Been Working for the Drug Squad".

** Classic!  They're having a musical "creative difference!"


Unknown said...

hey man, nice blog - like the counting hand concept!
yeah, man, thats a cool beat on deathwish.. that battles show was great last week, they are a pretty polyrhythmic band:

battles live on youtube


Nadia said...

Hi I'm trying to get in touch with you, but when I click on your "email" link, nothing comes up. What's your email? I'm interested in some lessons.


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